“Hey, I don’t think I properly said thanks,” said Hurricane bandaging his hoofs. “You really saved my flank up there.”
Winter could only smile, his scar gently healing from the top of his head. “What are friends for huh?” he said. “We’ll be partners till the end, even if we don’t make it into the Air Brigade Academy.”
The thought of not getting into the Air Brigade Academy was a haunt that Hurricane had forgotten only because he was so focused on the obstacle course. He had completely forgotten, but now that the thought was back, he was saddened. Also in his moment of sadness, he remembered that the coach wanted to see him. “So what do you think coach wants us for?” asked hurricane. “I know what he wants me for, but not you, you’re the hero!”
Winter only looked at his friend with understanding. “Well,” he said, “We did both go far off course, more-a-less went a mile or two off course.”
Hurricane looked confused, “but wait,” he said scratching his head, “How did you get the scar on your face?”
“Well, there was a forest below us,” he said. “In order for me to get enough speed to catch you, I had to dive down through the forest through the trees, when I finally rose through, a branch caught my face and I got this horrible scar. It was worth it though.”
The nurse then came back into the office. “How do you feel?” she asked.
“We’re fine,” said Winter. “We are bruised, but we’re not broken.”
“Excellent,” said the Nurse. She then got a sad expression on her face. “I came to remind you that Coach Sky wants to see you two whenever you both have enough strength after your adventure.”
Hurricane and Winter could only look at each other and wonder what to do.
“We’ll leave now,” said Hurricane. “Whatever Coach wants us for, we’ll have to face it sooner or later.”
The two stallions then left the nurses office for coach’s office.
***
“My two best fliers in my class,” he began sternly, “Veer far off course, perform daredevil stunts, and almost get themselves killed.”
Hurricane and Winter were deeply disturbed by this, and did not say a word.
“Not only did you two embarrass me up there,” he continued, “but you have embarrassed yourselves. That Pegasus you saw that came in first place cheated his way through by avoiding the wind generators. Winter, you yourself dodged the air current generators.”
Winter had almost forgotten about the wind generators, he had to move off course in order to save his friend. “I had to do it coach,” said Winter looking down at the floor, “or else Hurricane would have been seriously hurt, maybe even dead I can’t let it end for him like that.”
“If you’re going to fail anyone coach,” said hurricane speaking up boldly. He then stopped mid-sentence as he wanted to cry, knowing that he could possibly be throwing out a life in the Air Brigade, and the Royal Guard. He then flocked up his courage, and opened his wings boldly. “You can fail me, please don’t fail Winter, he deserves this more than I do.”
Coach Sky patiently looked at the two stallions. Never before had he seen such humility in any of his students, not even from Rainbow Dash, or Spitfire. “You’re willing to throw away all of your dreams for your friend,” he said. He then broke a smile. “Why would I fail you?”
Winter and Hurricane only stood dazed and confused.
“You see fellas,” he began, “I didn’t call you in here to fail you two, I came in here to tell you that I would gladly sign for both of you if you both are looking to go to the Air Brigade Academy. I have seen both of you from your first days here looking at the posters promoting the Air Brigade. When you two failed at something, you reclaimed yourselves in some other way, like this incident, one of you always go to risk yourselves to save the other. The Air Brigade could use more stallions like you. Therefore, both of you have passed.”
Hurricane and Winter were stunned. “Wow coach, I can’t believe it,” said Winter. “You’re really going to sign for us to go to the Air Brigade Academy?”
“This has been my dream since I was a colt,” said Hurricane beaming brightly. “Thank you so much.”
“Actually Hurricane, I will sign for you on one condition,” said Coach.
“Anything Coach, you name it.”
“Make me proud.”